Rowdy Rex flips Miami fans the bird, could be finedBy MARK CANNIZZAROMIAMI — Now the fat’s in the fire.

Jet coach Rex Ryan, who started the season by challenging Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder to a fight, flipped off Miami fans at a mixed-martial-arts event he was attending in Sunrise, Fla., over the weekend.

Ryan, in the Sunshine State for the Pro Bowl, was doing a ringside interview with a Showtime reporter piped through the arena. Through a raucous chorus of boos, he delivered one of his bold predictions: "I just want to tell everyone in Miami that we’re coming to beat you twice next year."

That’s something Ryan’s Jets failed to do in 2009. They were beaten twice by the Dolphins.

Later, as the arena emptied, he raised the middle finger of his right hand at several Dolphins fans while wearing a big smirk on his face.

Yesterday, the larger than life coach, who is known to consume 7,000 calories a day, served himself a helping of crow.

"It was stupid and inappropriate," Ryan said. "I wouldn’t accept that type of behavior from one of the coaches or players, and it’s unacceptable from me. I apologize to the Jets’ organization, the National Football League and NFL fans everywhere."

Team General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said, "Rex showed extremely poor judgment, and his conduct was inappropriate. He knows he was wrong, has apologized and we have accepted his apology."

The NFL said it would "look into" the possibility of fining Ryan. Tennessee Titans owner did the same thing to Buffalo Bills fans in November — and it cost him $250,000.

David M. Hildenbrand, the Dolphin fan who took the picture — an instant Internet sensation — told The Post that Ryan "was walking by us after the event and a couple buddies of mine said some things like, ‘Dolphins rule, Jets suck.’"

"[Ryan] looked at us and said, ‘Go f--- yourselves,’ and then he gave us the finger."

When Ryan flipped the bird to the group, a bunch of fans started shouting things at him like, "Manning whupped you."

"He was being a smart butt," Hildenbrand said. "That didn’t surprise me seeing the way he coaches and how he talks."

This isn’t the first time Ryan has verbally grappled with the Dolphins and their fans.

Last summer, during a Jets mini-camp, Ryan got into a row with Crowder that lasted days.

It began with Crowder responding to Ryan’s bold talk during the off-season by saying that he’s "the OTA Super Bowl winner," referring to "off-season team activities."

Ryan fired back: "I don’t know this Channing Crowder. All I know is that he’s all tatted up, so I guess I ought to be nervous about him."

He also said if he were younger, "I’d probably handle him myself."

Crowder’s response: "Oh, Lord have mercy. What’s wrong with him? I’d have beat the hell out of that big, old joker."

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

So if Ricky travels to the Netherlands on his time off and blows some ganja, Roger should leave him be? Sorry the logical end of your post is silly. Rex represents the NFL no matter where he goes or what he does. If you want the ability to flip people off whenever you feel like it, then feel free to move to Iowa and become a fry cook.

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

So if Ricky travels to the Netherlands on his time off and blows some ganja, Roger should leave him be? Sorry the logical end of your post is silly. Rex represents the NFL no matter where he goes or what he does. If you want the ability to flip people off whenever you feel like it, then feel free to move to Iowa and become a fry cook.

The logic is not silly. If you're not harming anyone, what you do in your own time is your own business. I don't see how flipping someone the bird is damaging the integrity of the game. If Ricky goes somewhere where marijuana is legal to smoke, then so be it. However, it becomes addictive, so it wouldn't be wise because you'd start doing it in the states where it is illegal.

"It was stupid and inappropriate," Ryan said. "I wouldn’t accept that type of behavior from one of the coaches or players, and it’s unacceptable from me. I apologize to the Jets’ organization, the National Football League and NFL fans everywhere."

Where in there does he apologize to the Phins fans he flipped off?

Really the whole ordeal is blown out of proportion, but I have to agree with the NFL's stance on this. You don't go acting flipping people off as a head coach in the NFL. Thats my opinion anyways.

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

I agree.And as for Ricky ... if he went somewhere like Amsterdam that is fine ... just be smart enough to have it out of your system when you get back here & might be tested.

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

So if Ricky travels to the Netherlands on his time off and blows some ganja, Roger should leave him be? Sorry the logical end of your post is silly. Rex represents the NFL no matter where he goes or what he does. If you want the ability to flip people off whenever you feel like it, then feel free to move to Iowa and become a fry cook.

The logic is not silly. If you're not harming anyone, what you do in your own time is your own business. I don't see how flipping someone the bird is damaging the integrity of the game. If Ricky goes somewhere where marijuana is legal to smoke, then so be it. However, it becomes addictive, so it wouldn't be wise because you'd start doing it in the states where it is illegal.

Lastly, what're you suggesting about Iowa?

your logic is silly. So all of us should be able to do what we want if we are off company time. It's not about the integrity of the game, but the integrity of the NFL. Pro players/coaches/officials are held to a higher standard. I understand what your saying, but that is just ridiculous - do what you want to when your off company time, please.

I believe Sparano has a little bit of class and wouldn't stoop to this level. Plus Parcells woudn't stand for it.

MT - I dont mean to knock you here but these guys are cut from the same mold. Especially Parcells. Sparano posseses that competitive nature like Ryan.Now I know once a Dolphin guys earn a halo over their heads but c'mon. Also I can tell you Listening to Sparano speak at the last 2 web weekends its obvious he has a low tolerance for obnoxious fans.

Well, if they fine players for this such a thing then they need to fine "the man", too. I remember Bryan Cox getting fined for flipping off Bills fans. I think there has all ready been a precedent set.

your logic is silly. So all of us should be able to do what we want if we are off company time. It's not about the integrity of the game, but the integrity of the NFL. Pro players/coaches/officials are held to a higher standard. I understand what your saying, but that is just ridiculous - do what you want to when your off company time, please.

Well, if they fine players for this such a thing then they need to fine "the man", too. I remember Bryan Cox getting fined for flipping off Bills fans. I think there has all ready been a precedent set.

I would expect this behavior from a player, not a head coach.

Well yes Cox got fined because that was at a game, not on his own time getting ridiculed by Bills fans while trying to enjoy himself.

your logic is silly. So all of us should be able to do what we want if we are off company time. It's not about the integrity of the game, but the integrity of the NFL. Pro players/coaches/officials are held to a higher standard. I understand what your saying, but that is just ridiculous - do what you want to when your off company time, please.

I believe Sparano has a little bit of class and wouldn't stoop to this level. Plus Parcells woudn't stand for it.

MT - I dont mean to knock you here but these guys are cut from the same mold. Especially Parcells. Sparano posseses that competitive nature like Ryan.Now I know once a Dolphin guys earn a halo over their heads but c'mon. Also I can tell you Listening to Sparano speak at the last 2 web weekends its obvious he has a low tolerance for obnoxious fans.

oh my bad, I didn't realize flippin people off went hand and hand with being competitive. I'm super competitive, I'll be right back I gotta go give my neighbor the bird for telling me the dolphins suck

oh my bad, I didn't realize flippin people off went hand and hand with being competitive. I'm super competitive, I'll be right back I gotta go give my neighbor the bird for telling me the dolphins suck

oh my bad, I didn't realize flippin people off went hand and hand with being competitive. I'm super competitive, I'll be right back I gotta go give my neighbor the bird for telling me the dolphins suck

That's the spirit.

that was a fiasco, his wife started talking to me about wanting to come over to my team

oh my bad, I didn't realize flippin people off went hand and hand with being competitive. I'm super competitive, I'll be right back I gotta go give my neighbor the bird for telling me the dolphins suck

That's the spirit.

that was a fiasco, his wife started talking to me about wanting to come over to my team

I'm sick of Goodell fining everyone for everyday occurrences. If Rog does fine him, I just might show up at his door and give him some of my 'integrity"

If he had done it during a game, that's one thing. But on his own time, not on NFL property and enjoying himself, he should not be held accountable for flipping the bird. Or swearing, or smoking a cigarette or whatever. It's not harming anyone, so it shouldn't harm Roger. The person that should be fined is the idiot that took the picture and ratted on him like a 3rd grader.

So if Ricky travels to the Netherlands on his time off and blows some ganja, Roger should leave him be? Sorry the logical end of your post is silly. Rex represents the NFL no matter where he goes or what he does. If you want the ability to flip people off whenever you feel like it, then feel free to move to Iowa and become a fry cook.

The logic is not silly. If you're not harming anyone, what you do in your own time is your own business. I don't see how flipping someone the bird is damaging the integrity of the game. If Ricky goes somewhere where marijuana is legal to smoke, then so be it. However, it becomes addictive, so it wouldn't be wise because you'd start doing it in the states where it is illegal.

Lastly, what're you suggesting about Iowa?

So we should just allow player X to go to Mexico, load up on steroids in the off-season, then get clean before the season starts? When they took away my right to take you outside and kick your arse for shooting me the bird, they took away your right to shoot it in public.

So we should just allow player X to go to Mexico, load up on steroids in the off-season, then get clean before the season starts? When they took away my right to take you outside and kick your arse for shooting me the bird, they took away your right to shoot it in public. [/quote]

You sure are sliding down a slippery slope. Regardless, I said as long as those actions don't harm anyone else. You kicking my arse would be harming me, so naturally that doesn't fall under your freedom.

I don't see what the big deal is, he's the coach of the New York Jets, what else do you expect? He can talk about how he would whoop crowder's butt, but god forbid he lift hi middle finger in the air. If he had yelled out "F--K YOU!" do you think he would be fined?

I don't condone Ryan giving the bird, but he is a pretty flamboyant kinda guy and actually, if he didnt go to the Jets and we didnt have Sparano, I would have voted for him to come to Miami as HC as I sorta like that brash confidence and he is a players coach too. I think he is pretty darn funny too and just likes to run his mouth all the time. I dont take this guy serious, but he knows how to run a defense, thats for sure.

I agree with the 3rd grade snitch comment, ok, the guy is an NFL head coach and probably should not have flipped off a bunch of wise arse dolphin fans that were riding him in public, but this guy's personality is not the type to back down.

Next seasons two games against the Jets will be classic and I went to this past season's Monday night comeback win and I will be buying my tickets to come see them play the Jets again in Miami as that will be a battle and this is a great rivalry. I fully expect Crowder and Ryan's UFC war of the words to continue!